Bridle-bit



(No Model.) H. VAN ARSDALE.

BRIDLE BIT.

No. 422,469. Patented Mar. 4, 18.90.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

HENRY VAN ARSDALE, OF RAOINE, WISCONSIN.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 422,469, dated March 4,1 90. Application filed November 21, 1889. Serial No. 831,094. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY VAN ARsDALE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, n the county ofRacine and State of VV1sc0ns1n, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bridle-bits; and it consists in a novelconstruction of the same, as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved bit, andFigs. 2. 3, and 4: views illustrating certain details.

The object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen and to generallyimprove this class of bits by using but one bar in lieu of the two barscommonly used and by varying the construct-ion of the end or side ringscommonly employed. The reins can be secured to the rings in such manneras to permit the driver to exert a pressure on either or both sides ofthe lower jaw of the animal, as desired or as becomes necessary, or maybe so secured to the rings as not to exert this pressure, the formerarrangement of the reins beingused only when the animal is fractious,runs to one side, or becomes unruly.

A indicates. the main bar, and B B the rings pivoted to the endsthereof, so as to be capable of swinging backward and forward in ahorizontal plane parallel with the axis of the bar, the said bar beingbent at each end to form a hook or eye a to embrace a straight arm b,formed on the inner side or face of each ring. This arm I), which formsa pivot or center from or upon which the ring swings, is carried by orconnected with two arms or braces o c, which in turn are conneeted withor carried by two arms or braces (Z d, Which extend across the ring fromfront to rear. The connection of the arms d d with the rim e of the ringat the rear side of the latter forms a bar f, to which the reins aresecured when the bit is to be used as an ordinary bit or for atender-mouthed animal, the bar f being in effect apart or continuationof the rim of the ring.

Where the arms or braces d cl join the front side of the ring the rim 6of the latter and the said arms (1 cl are extended outward laterally aslight distance, as shown, and be tween the outer ends of the arms 01dis a second bar g, to' which the reins are attached when it is desiredto have a hard bit to control unruly or fractious animals or to correcta sidepuller. It will thus beseen that there are two rein-barsone f inrear of and practically in line with the pivot Z), while the other g isin advance of and out of line with said pivot.

here the arms (1 d and bar g join the rim of the ring the former areenlarged somewhat and flattened to give the necessary strength to thebit, as is required by the increase in leverage when pulling upon thereins D.

In practice'itwill be found best to make the rings B with their bars andbraces in one casting; but if for any reason it should be desired tomake the bars f g and the pivot or arm 1) separate from the ring ofcourse that may be done.

With an ordinary animal it will be necessary to use the reins secured tothe bar f, audit will be seen upon reference to Fig. 3 that when a pullis exerted upon them, as indicated by the arrow, inasmuch as the pointof attachment of the reins (at bar f) is nearly or quite in line withthe pivot or center 1), the rings will not bear or press upon the sidesof the animals jaw. Should, however, a vicious animal be encountered,the

reins will be used fastened to the bar g, and,

upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that if a pull be exerted uponthem in the direction of the arrow the inner end of the ring, or thatportion in rear of its pivot, will be pressed firmly against the side ofthe animals jaw, the ring swinging upon its pivot or center I), asindicated by the dotted lines.

In the case of particularly vicious animals it may be found advisable toprovide that portion of each ring designed to bear against the animalsjaw with studs,corrugations, or projections h, as shown in Fig. 4.

The form in cross-section of the metal forming the rim 6 and the arms orbraces is advisably D-shaped, the fiat face being on the outside andgiving an attractive appearance, besides rendering easier the finishingof the rings.

It is possible that it would be desirable to attach the reins toseparate rings and secure the latter to the bars f and g; but I considersuch rings unnecessary attachments.

The form of the arms or braces and the rim might have to be varied orchanged slightly when the rings B are being made for application to thebits now in use; but it will be found best to follow the formillustrated in the drawings.

Generally the reins will be fastened to the bar g, for it is clear thatby pulling slightly upon them the rings will not be forced against thesides of the animals jaw 5 but at the same time the reins will be insuch position as to enable the driver to exert considerable pressureupon the animals jaw should it be desired so to do. The bit isparticularly usefulin connection with animals that carry their head toone side or which are continually lugging or pulling 011 one rein. Forinstance, if the animal throws its head to one side, or is otherwiseaffected on theleft side, the lefthand rein wouldbe secured to the bar gand the right-hand rein to the bar f, and it will be seen that if thedriver pull upon the reins the animals jaw would be pressed on the leftside only, and, minding the pressure of the ring on that side, theanimal would place its head in the correct position.

To animals in the habit of running to one side the bit will be foundparticularly applicable, the pressure on one or the other side, asdesired, securing an obedience that would not be attained if thepressure were necessarily upon both sides of the jaw at once.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a bridle-bit,the combination, with a bar A, of the rings B B, hinged thereto, andeach provided with the two rein-attaching bars f and g, arranged,respectively, in line and out of line with the pivots of the rings,substantially as shown and described, and with an extended or elongatedbearing face or rim 6. v

2. In a bridle-bit, the combination,with the bar A, of the hinged ringsB, having each a rim 6 and studs or projections h on the inner face ofeach rim, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a bridle'bit, the combination,with the bar A, having eyes or hooksa, of the rings B B, each having the following elements, to wit: an arm11, to enter the eye a, braces c c, to support arm 1), arms or braces (l(I, extending at right angles to braces c c and connected with the rim 6of the ring, and reinattaching bars f and g, located, respectively, inrear and in advance of the arm I).

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

HENRY VAN ARS DALE.

Witnesses:

A. (J. PETERSON, J. E. LYON.

